Music and Poetry at Ner Shalom

Ner Shalom has been called, for good reason, "the singing synagogue." Music is one of the primary ways we move to deeper or loftier places in ritual or in our private lives.

At Ner Shalom we take pride in drawing from a range of sources for our musical expression. In addition to traditional Ashkenazic and Sephardic liturgical melodies, we draw from klezmer, folk music and the modern chanting traditions of Rabbi Shefa Gold and others. Especially exciting, Ner Shalom has introduced its own original music to its Shabbat and holy day practice.

If you would like to lend your voice to High Holy Days, special services or other events, joining the Ner Shalom Singers. Just email Lorenzo Valensi to join. Also, email him if you play an instrument or would like to do solo singing.

In the meantime, you can learn some of Ner Shalom's originals and favorites by watching the videos on our Ner Shalom YouTube site!

Here are some samples below:

Kol Haneshamah

A new joyous setting of the closing line of Psalm 150: Kol haneshamah tehalel Yah, Hallelujah -- let every living thing praise Yah, Hallelujah. Music by Lorenzo Valensi. Sung by Reb Irwin Keller.

Shalom Rav

From the evening Amidah.Original music by Lorenzo Valensi. Vocals and video by Irwin Keller.

WHO WILL BE GONE?

This is a mostly-English interpretive setting of the High Holiday prayer, Unetaneh Tokef. Written for Ner Shalom by Irwin Keller; performed by Irwin Keller and Rabbi Eli Cohen.